Midway

The Pacific War has been popular in America cinema since the day the Japanese air force attacked Pearl Harbor. This ‘sneak attack’ on a date that will ‘live in infamy’ was instantly a sore point for America so the depiction of the Japanese army in 40s films like Wake Island and many others were frequently vile, racist, and lacking in the depth that German characters were depicted with in films like The Mortal Storm. Things have gotten better but for every Letters from Iwo Jima you’d get a few Hacksaw Ridges, but overall the depiction is far better.

It is to the film’s credit that the depiction of the Japanese is one of the more positive of late, in fact they’re just as well developed as their American counterparts, but you could argue that’s not saying much because the Americans themselves are nothing more than broad caricatures. Harmful stereotypes (of which there are many on the Japanese) are generally avoided and they’re even given an opportunity to show their bravery and dedication to their homeland. Though, they don’t get away scott-free as they’re shown to have a brutal side and their massacres of Chinese civilians isn’t ignored entirely. It’s not subtle, but it goes a long way.

The Americans aren’t presented with much depth or subtlety either. Even though the characters are based on real people, they’re painted with such broad strokes they don’t feel like real people. The central character’s, Richard Halsey Best (Ed Skrein), main attributes are he is reckless, cocky and chews gum. It’s a shame because these heroes are deserving of better representation but the dreadful dialogue, lacking in nuance and subtly, doesn’t allow for this. Women fare the worst as the likes of Mandy Moore are left with nothing to do other than worry about her husband and make the occasional late-night sandwich (this line was hilariously lacking in self-awareness).

Yet I never really expected anything more from Roland Emmerich. Grounded realism isn’t something you’ll find from the director of Godzilla, Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow. The characters may be so broadly depicted they don’t feel remotely real but the brilliant and generally exciting dog fights and bombing raids are so well done they greatly exhibit the bravery, doggedness of all involved. It is, therefore, a shame that script doesnt anything insightful to say.

Having watched the film at the time most of the country is reflecting on those who dedicated their lives for their country it’s hard not to be moved and appreciate a film about them slightly more than it deserves to be appreciated.

3/5